Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.30 | Aug 4 2011

Differential Collagen–Glycosaminoglycan Matrix Remodeling by Superficial and Deep Dermal Fibroblasts: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Hypertrophic Scar
To examine the role of superficial and deep dermal fibroblasts in hypertrophic scarring, and determine if they differentially remodel collagen–glycosaminoglycan (C-GAG) matrices, fibroblasts were isolated from superficial and deep dermis of lower abdominal tissue of abdominoplasty patients and cultured on C-GAG matrices for four weeks. [Biomaterials]

Restoring Blood Flow: Nanostructure Promotes Growth of New Blood Vessels, Mimics Natural Protein
Researchers have developed a novel nanostructure that promotes the growth of new blood vessels and shows promise as a therapy for conditions where increased blood flow is needed to supply oxygen to tissue. [Press release from Northwestern University discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]

Supramolecular Nanostructures that Mimic VEGF as a Strategy for Ischemic Tissue Repair
Researchers report here on the development of a completely synthetic cell-free therapy based on peptide amphiphile nanostructures designed to mimic the activity of VEGF, one of the most potent angiogenic signaling proteins. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

Tissue-Engineered Intervertebral Discs Produce New Matrix, Maintain Disc Height, and Restore Biomechanical Function to the Rodent Spine
Here researchers present the evaluation of a living, tissue-engineered intervertebral disc composed of a gelatinous nucleus pulposus surrounded by an aligned collagenous annulus fibrosus in the caudal spine of athymic rats for up to 6 mo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

Osteopontin-Stimulated Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Causes Cardiomyopathy in the mdx Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The results demonstrate that the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 are increased in the heart of mdx mice. [J Immunol]

Hyaluronidase and Collagenase Increase the Transfection Efficiency of Gene Electrotransfer in Different Murine Tumors
The aim of the study was to determine if modulation of the extracellular matrix in solid tumors using collagenase and hyaluronidase can increase the transfection efficiency of gene electrotransfer in histologically different solid subcutaneous tumors in mice. [Hum Gene Ther]

Extracellular Matrix Powder Protects Against Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Regenerative medicine approaches using extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have been shown to promote site-specific tissue remodeling. This led to the hypothesis that particulate ECM would promote normal tissue repair and attenuate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 is a Diagnostic Marker of Heterotopic Ossification in a Murine Model
Herein, researchers used in vivo molecular imaging and confirmatory ex vivo tissue analyses of an established murine animal model of BMP-induced heterotopic ossification to show that matrix metalloproteinase-9 can be detected as an early-stage biomarker before mineralization. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Fibrin- and Collagen-Based Matrices Attenuate Inflammatory and Procoagulant Responses in Human Endothelial Cell Cultures Exposed to S. aureus
In the present study researchers seeded human endothelial cells on a fibrin vs. collagen gel matrix and, at confluence, infected them with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Evaluation of a Multilayered Chitosan–Hydroxy-Apatite Porous Composite Enriched with Fibronectin or an In Vitro-Generated Bone-Like Extracellular Matrix (ECM) on Proliferation and Differentiation of Osteoblasts
Here, the effect of enrichment of a novel multilayered chitosan–hydroxyapatite composite with ECM molecules produced by osteoblasts, or the addition of 25 or 50 µg/ml fibronectin to the composite, on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts cultured on these composites was studied. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med]

Palm Oil Tocotrienol Rich Fraction Reduces Extracellular Matrix Production by Inhibiting Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Human Intestinal Fibroblasts
Researchers aimed at characterizing the effects of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production and molecules that regulate the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, in human intestinal fibroblasts, and at elucidating whether the effects of TRF are mediated through inhibition of TGF-β1. [Clin Nutr]

Creation of an In Vitro Microenvironment to Enhance Human Fetal Synovium-Derived Stem Cell Chondrogenesis
The aim was to assess the feasibility of the sequential application of extracellular matrix and low oxygen to enhance chondrogenesis in human fetal synovium-derived stem cells. [Cell Tissue Res]

Halozyme Therapeutics to Host Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results Conference Call on August 5
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products targeting the extracellular matrix, announced it plans to report second quarter 2011 financial results on Friday, August 5, 2011 before the open of the financial markets. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

Penn Receives $10 Million to Create Center for Orphan Disease Research and Therapy
The Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania announces the launching of a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary center focused on discovering novel treatments for orphan diseases. [Penn Medicine Press Release]

NSERC Invests $42 Million in U of T Research
The Government of Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada gave the University of Toronto (U of T) research a huge boost July 27 when it announced $42 million in investment to 158 U of T faculty members, as well as graduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral students. [University of Toronto Press Release]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)
 
European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Extracellular Matrix Protein Study (Università degli Studi di Genova)

Research Associate in Synthetic Biology (Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology)

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